Machine for bricking ice cream



ug. 7, g.

R. H. SMITH MACHINE FOR BRICKING ICE CREAM 5 1920 3 Sheets-Sheet 1Original Filed Jan.

A g. 7, E923.

H. SMETM MACHINE FOR BRICKNG ICE CREAM Original Filed Jan.

Aug. 7, 1923.

R. H. SMH-H MACHINE FOR BRICKING ICE CREAM Original Filed Jan. 5. 1920 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented Ang. 7, 1923.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFICE.

ROSS H. SMITH, 0F ERIE, PENNSYLVANIA.

-MACHINE FOR BRICKING ICE CREAM.

Application led January 5, 1920, Serial No. 349,446. Renewed November29, 1922.

To all whom t may concern Be it known that T, Ross H. SMITH, a citizenoi the United States, residing at Erie, in the county of Erie and Stateof Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in a Machinefor Bricking Ice Cream, of which the following is a specification.

In making ice cream bricks it is desirable to form the bricks with thecream in a soft plastic state and with as little pressure as possible sothat the vcream will have as little density as possible. This isdesirable for two reasons. ,First it makes it more palatable and 4at thesame time increases the over-running. In forming bricks, therefore, thepractice is to shape 'the bricks in this soft plastic form with aslittle pressure as possible and then complete the freezing while thebrick is held in this shape. This has been more readily accomplishedwhere the brick was formed of one kind of cream. lVhere, however, thecream has been formed in several layers, the usual practice has beentoform a layer of the soft plastic cream, freeze it, and then applyanother layer. Some attempts have been made to form the layerssimultaneously but such methods have not gone into general practice. Thepurpose of this invention is to form bricks quickly and with littlecompression.

The` machine for accomplishing the purpose is illustrated in theaccompanying drawings as follows Fig. 1 shows a side elevation, partlyin section, on the line 1--1 in Fig. 6.

Fig. 2 a plan view of the mold case.

Fig. 3 a section on the line 3-3 in Fig. 1.

F ig.` 4 a plan view of a plunger sealing plate guide.

`Fig. 5 is a section on the line 5-5 in Fig. 3.

Fig. 6 a plan view of the machine.

1 marks the table or frame of the machine and 2 legs supporting theframe.

A sliding receptacle platform 3 is mounted in guides 4. on the sides ofthe frame and is held in place by the plates 5. A receptacle 6 ismounted on the platform 3 and as shown has three compartments 7, 8 and9. Nozzles 10, 11 and 12 extend from one side of these compartments andgates 13, 14 and 15 control the inlets to these nozzles so that they maybe ,connected with the receptacles .0r closed as desired. Aft the opposite sides of the receptacles 7 and 8 n0zzles 16 and 17 are providedand these have the gates 18 and 19, the arrangement as will be readilyapparent providing for forming bricks of two layers, or bricks of threelayers, as may be desired. A sliding mold platfrom 20 is mounted in theguides 21 in the side frame. Plates 22 are arranged lit with thesenozzles at the sides and bot` tom when in place and extend up the sidesof the `nozzles a suiicient distance to receive the soft plasticmaterial from the nozzles. lin making the cream according to my methodthe mold platform with the molds is moved to the right so that theclosed ends of the molds are adjacent to the ends of the nozzles and asthe soft plastic material is discharged from the nozzles the end of thecase is moved away from the end of the nozzle, the movement being soproportioned that the movement of the case corresponds with the movingmass as it is discharged so that the soft plastic material is confinedwith a cross sectional shape corresponding to its shape when dischargedand the layers of the material are formed in contact. Tn this way it isossible to form the brick of the soft plastic material and still keepthe layers well-defined and the material is placed in the mold with solittle pressure as to maintain its open or p0- rous texture. i

The compartments are provided with plungers 24. These plungers arecarried by i' stems 25 which are mounted in a cross plate 26 and thecross plate is carried by a cross head 27. The cross heads are mountedon racks 28 and the racks operate in the ides 28a extending upwardlyfrom the Pinions 29 mesh the racks 28. The pinions 'are carried by ashaft 29, the shaft being mountedin bearings 30 in the guides 28, Abevelled gear 31 is fixed on the shaft 29* andmeshes a pinion 32. Thepinion 32 is fixed on a shaft 33 and the shaft 33 is mounted in bearings34 extending rombne of the guides 28S. A bevelled gear 35 `is fixed onthe shaft 33 and meshes a pinion 36 journaled on a shaft 37. The shaft37 is mounted in bearings 37a carried by the frame 1. The pinion 36 maybelocked or released frOm the shaft 37 by means of a clutch 38, the

clutih being thrown by a; lever 39 mounted in a bracket 40 extendingfrom the side frame. A crank 41 is fixed on the end of the shaft 37. Bymeans of this crank the shaft 37 may be turned and with `it the plungersmoved. This connection is designed to move the plungers o f compartments7 8 and 9 at a speed which will deliver the plastic material from thenozzles 10, 11 and 1e.

A pinion 42 is journaled on the shaft 37 and may be lockedvor releasedfrom the shaft 37 by a clutch 43. The clutch is thrown by a lever 44mounted on a bracket 45 .extending from the frame. The pinion 42 meshesa gear 46. The gear 46 is carried by a shaft 47 carried by bearings onthe frame 47 n. Gears 48 are fixed on the shaft 47 and mesh the racksQ8. The timing of this connection with the racks is such as to move theplungers of' compartments 7 and 8 at a speed which will deliver the mamfrom the nozzles 16 and 17 in conformity to the movement of the mold.wWhere but two plungers are used it is obvious that they must be moved alittle faster than where the three plungers are delivering to the mold.

Gears 49 are fixed on the sha-ft 37 and mesh racks 5() on the under sideof the mold platform 20. These gears are so proportioned with relationto the driving connections through the racks 28 as to move the moldcases mounted on the platform 2O at a speed which will correspond to thedischarge of the mass from the nozzles. Obviously in proportioning thesecases and these connections the cro sections of the receptaclesrelatively to the cross section of the brick must be considered and thespeed of the molds be enough faster than the plunger to compensate forthe difference in cross section assuming that the receptacles are oflarger cross section than the bricks as shown. When the open end of themold case reaches a position opposite the end of the nozzle a gate 51 ismoved down across the end of the nozzles. These gates are operated b vlevers 52 connected with the gate by links 53. The gates 231 are alsoplaced in the molds. The

gate 51, however, prevents the movement of the material from the ends ofthe nozzles while one mold case is being removed and another oneinserted.

In order to fill the receptacles the pl'ungers are lifted to a positionabove the receptacles and the receptacles are moved from under theplunger to a position in which they may be readily filled. This isaccomplished by moving the receptacle support or frame 3. Racks 54 arearranged on the under-side of the supports and these mesh the gears 54a.

The gears 54a are carried by a shaft 54b mounted in bearings 54c in theframe. A crank 54d is provided for operating the shaft 54h. a

In order that the plunger may make a comparatively tight fit with thewalls of the receptacle I prefer t0 provide sprin actuated plates 55 formaking a closer t with said walls. These plates 55 are mounted on thetops of the plungeis and preferably are made'in four parts. They areslidingly secured by means of the arms 56 which are secured to the topof the plungers and extend over the plates 55. Rods 57 extend from theposts 59 at the corners of the plates 55 through the posts 58 on theplungers 24 and springs 60 are mounted on the rods 57 between the posts59 and 58 and crowd the plates 55 into Contact with the walls of thereceptacle. The rods 57 are bent upwardly and extend to the cross plates26 to which they are secured. They extend through openings 61 in theguide lates 62, these guide plates being secured) to the guides 28a. Therods have the cam surface or bends 64 so that when the rods are drawn upwith the plungers to a position which brings the bends 64 intoengagement with the walls ot the opening 61 they are forced inward-lythus retracting the plates 55 slightly from the side walls of thereceptacle. The purpose of this is to assure the yready reentry ot theplungers into the receptacles after the plungers have been withdrawn topermit the refilling of the receptacles and it is desired to return theplungers to the receptacles.

It will be noted that the crank 41 may be transferred to the shaft 47which is rovided -with a squared end so that the p unger may be readilyreturned.

`What I claiin as new is 1. In a machine for bricking ice cream, thecombination of a receptacle; means for squirting cream from thereceptacle; a

mounting for a mold for receiving the cream as it is squirted; and meansfor moving a mold on the mounting in proportion to the movement of thecream as it is discharged.

'2. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of areceptacle; means for squirting cream from the receptacle; a mountingfor a mold for receiving the cream as it is squirted; means for moving amold on the mounting in proportion to the movement of the cream as it isdischarged; and means for cutting ofi' the fiow of cream and closing themold.

3. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a pluralit ofreceptacles; means for simultaneously squirting cream from thereceptacles in the form ot' layers in Contact from the point ofdischarge; and a mounting for a mold for receiving the cream as it issquirted.

lll)

a. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a pluralityof receptacles; means for simultaneousl squirting.

- support adapted to maintain a mold in position on the receptacle; andmeans for moving the mold support to move the mold'in proportion 'to themovement of the cream at a speed corresponding to the movement of thecream. t A

6. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a receptacle;a plunger .in the receptacle; a nozzle from which cream may be squirtedfrom the receptacle through the action of the plunger; a mounting for amold for receiving the cream as it is squirt` ed; andmeans for movingthe plunger and mold at a speed relatively to each other correspondingto the cross sections of the mold and plunger.

7. ln a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a receptacle;a plunger in the receptacle; a cross head carrying the plunger; racks onthe cross head; gears op erating on the racks; a nozzle extending fromthe receptacle; a mold support; a gear connection for moving the moldsupport, said gear connection being connected with the gears operatingon the racks, said gear conneqtion being proportioned to drive theplunger and mold support at speeds proportioned to the cross sections ofthe nozzle and plunger.

8. In a machine for briclring ice cream, the combination of a pluralityof receptacles; a. plun er in each receptacle; a plu- V rality of nozzes leading from said receptacles; gates between the nozzles and thereceptacles; devices for moving a mold with the cream as it isdischarged from the nozzles; and means for varying the speed .of theplungers with relation to said devices and With relation to the nozzlesconnected with the receptacles. v

9. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a pluralityof receptacles; nozzles leading from said receptacles and terminating inposition to deliver mate' rial in layers and in contact, said nozzlesforming bricks of diferent numbers of layers and being connected todifferent numbers of receptacles; plungers in said receptacles; gatesfor connecting or disconnecting the nozzles; devices for moving a vmoldWith the cream asy discharged; and '..ieans for actending from saidreceptacles,

tuating the plungers, said means corresponding with said devices to varythe speed of the plungers relatively to the devices as the number ofplungers delivering is varied.

10. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a pluralityof receptacles; plungers in said receptacles; a cross head carrying saidplungers; racks on saro cross head; a driveshaft; clutches on saidshaft; gears on said shaft adapted to be engaged or disengaged from saidshaft by said clutches; a gear connection between one of said gears andthe racks giving to said racks one speed; a gear connection between theother gear on said shaft and said racks giv ing to said racks anotherspeed; nozzles exone nozzle eX- tending to a greater number ofreceptacles than the other of said nozzles; gates between thereceptacles and nozzles; and devices for moving a mold when the cream isdischarged, said gear connections varyin the speed to proportion themovement 0% the plungers to the number of receptacles discharging.

11. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of areceptacle; a nozzle extending from the receptacle; a plunger in thereceptacle; and spring-pressed plates between the plunger and the wallsof the receptacle comprislng means for retracting the plates as theplunger is lifted above the receptacle.

12. ln a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of areceptacle; a plunger operatingin the receptacle and adapted to moveabove the receptacle, said receptacle having a nozzle extending from thereceptacle at an angle to the direction of movement of the plunger;means for holding a container for receiving the cream from the nozzle;and means for moving the receptacle with its nozzle from under theplunger to ll the receptacle.

13. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of areceptacle; a nozzle extending from the receptacle; a plunger in thereceptacle; spring-pressed plates between the plunger and the Walls pfthe receptacle comprising means for retracting the plates as the plungeris lifted above the receptacle; and means for moving the receptacle fromunder the plunger.

14. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a slidingreceptacle support; a receptacle on the support; a nozz eextending fromthe receptacle; a mold support below the receptacle support; and meansfor moving the mold support.

15. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a slidingreceptacle support; "a receptacle on the support; a nozzle extendingfrom the receptacle; a mold support below the receptacle support; meansfor moving the mold support; a plunger in the receptacle; and means forretracting the plunger to a point above the receptacle.

16. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combina-tion of areceptacle; a plunger in the receptacle; a cross head carrying theplunger; spring-actuated plates between the plunger and the side wallsof the receptacle;

7 operating in the receptacle; a nozzle leading from the receptacle andsquirt-ing material under the action of the plunger in a directioncrossvvise to the movement of the plunger; and a mounting for a moldpermitting a movement of the mold in a direction across the direction ofmovement ot' the plunger for -receiving the cream as it is dischargedfrom the nozzle.

18. In a machine for briclring ice cream. the combination of areceptacle; a plunger operating in the receptacle; a nozzle leading fromthe receptacle and squirting material under the action of the plunger ina direction crosswise to the movementr of the plunger; and devices formoving a mold in a direction across the direction of movement ot theplunger for receiving the cream as it is discharged from the nozzle.

19. In a machine for bricking ice cream,

the combination of a receptacle; a plunger operating in the receptacle;a nozzle leading from the receptacle and squirtin material under theaction of the plunger 1n a direction crossvvise to the movement of theplunger; and means for moving a mold in a direction across the directionof move-Y ment of the plunger for receiving the cream as it isdischarged from the nozzle. said means moving the mold in proportion tothe movement of the. cream as it is discharge-d.

20. In a machine for bricking ice cream,

the combination of a plurality, of rec-ep tacles; plungers in saidreceptacles; a plurality of nozzles leading to a common discharge pointfrom. said receptacles, the direction of discharge from the nozzlesbeing across the direction of movement of the plungers; and a mountingfor a mold permitting a movement of a Vmold on the u mounting in adirection across the direction of movement of the plungers for receivingthe cream as it is discharged from the nozzles.

2l. In a machine for bricking ice cream,

the combination of a plurality of receptacles; plungers in saidreceptacles; a plurality of nozzles leading to a common discharge pointfrom said receptacles, the direction of discharge from the nozzles beingacross the direction of movement of the plungers; and devices for movinga mold in a direction across the direction of movement of the plungersfor receiving the cream as it is discharged from the nozzles, saiddevices moving the mold in proportion to the movement of the cream as itis discharged.

22. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of a pluralityof receptacles; plungers in said receptacles; a plurality of nozzlesleading to a common discharge point from said receptacles, the directionof discharge from the nozzles being across the direction of movement otthe plungers; devices tor moving a mold in :1.80

direction across the direction of movement of the plungers for receivingthe cream as it is discharged from the nozzles, said devices moving themold in proportion to the movement of the cream as it is discharged;

and means for severing the cream and closing the. mold.

23. In a machine for bricking ice cream, the combination of areceptacle; a plunger operating in the receptacle; a nozzle lead- 9o ingfrom the receptacle and squirting material under the .action of theplunger in a direction crossWise to the movement of' the plunger; meansJfor moving a mold in a direction across the direction of movement ofthe plunger for receiving the crea-m as it is discharged from then'ozzle, s-aid means, moving the mold in proportion to the movement ofthe cream as it is discharged: and

means for severing the cream and closing the mold.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

ROSS H. SMITH.

